After his success with Milan, Kaká joined Real Madrid for a transfer fee of €67 million.[9] At the time, this was the second highest transfer fee (in euros) ever, behind only the €77.5 million (150 billion lire) fee for Zinedine Zidane. However, after four injury ravaged seasons in Spain, which saw his physical ability to dribble from midfield rapidly decline, he returned to Milan for a single season in 2013, prior to joining MLS expansion club Orlando City. He initially returned to his former club São Paulo on loan, before relocating to the United States in 2015, where he became a three time All-Star and won an MLS All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award prior to retiring in 2017.

In addition to his individual awards, between 2006 and 2009 he was named in both the FIFA World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year three times. In 2010, he was named in the A.C. Milan Hall of Fame.[10] One of the world's most famous athletes, Kaká was the first sportsperson to amass 10 million followers on Twitter.[11][12] Off the field, Kaká is known for his humanitarian work, where he became the youngest ambassador of the UN World Food Programme in 2004.[13] For his contributions on and off the pitch, Kaká was listed by Time as one of the world's most influential people in 2008 and 2009.[14]

Early life

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite was born in Gama, Federal District, to Simone dos Santos, an elementary school teacher, and Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite, a civil engineer.[15] He had a financially secure upbringing that allowed him to focus on both school and football at the same time.[16] His younger brother Rodrigo (best known as Digão) and cousin Eduardo Delani are also professional footballers. Digão called him "Caca" due to his inability to pronounce "Ricardo" when they were young; it eventually evolved into Kaká.[17] The word has no specific Portuguese translation.[18]

When he was seven, Kaká's family moved to São Paulo, in the homonymous state.[19] His school had arranged him in a local youth club called "Alphaville," who qualified to the final in a local tournament.[20] There he was discovered by hometown club São Paulo FC, who offered him a place in the youth academy.[21] At the age of 18, Kaká suffered a career-threatening and possibly paralysis-inducing spinal fracture as a result of a swimming pool accident,[22][23] but made a full recovery. He attributes his recovery to God and has since tithed his income to his church.[23]

Club career

São Paulo

Kaká began his career with São Paulo at the age of eight.[21] He signed a contract at 15 and led the São Paulo youth squad to Copa de Juvenil glory. He made his senior side debut on 1 February 2001 and scored 12 goals in 27 appearances, in addition to leading São Paulo to its first and only Torneio Rio-São Paulo championship, in which he scored two goals in two minutes as a substitute against Botafogo in the final, which São Paulo won 2–1.[24]

He scored ten goals in 22 matches the following season, and by this time his performance was soon attracting attention from European clubs.[25] Kaká made a total of 58 appearances for São Paulo, scoring 23 times.[26]

Kaká was a part of the five-man midfield in the 2004–05 season, usually playing in a withdrawn role behind striker Andriy Shevchenko. He was supported by Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf defensively, as well as Massimo Ambrosini, allowing Kaká as the attacking midfielder and Rui Costa or Andrea Pirlo as the deep-lying playmaker to be in charge of creating Milan's goalscoring chances, forming a formidable midfield unit in both Italy and Europe. Milan began the season by winning the Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio. He scored seven goals in 36 domestic appearances as Milan finished runner-up in the Scudetto race. Milan also reached the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia that season. Kaká played a pivotal role in Milan's Champions League campaign that season, helping them to reach the final against Liverpool, scoring two goals and providing five assists. Dubbed the "Miracle of Istanbul," Milan led 3–0 at half time, before Liverpool staged a comeback, scoring three goals in six minutes, and eventually won the match 3–2 on penalties.[29] A match widely regarded as one of the greatest finals in the competition's history, Kaká was imperious in the first half; he first won the early free-kick which led to Paolo Maldini's opening goal, later beginning the play that led to Hernán Crespo's first goal and Milan's second of the night, before executing a long curling pass that split open the Liverpool defence and rolled perfectly into the path of Crespo to score Milan's third.[29][30][31] Kaká was once again nominated for the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year Awards, finishing ninth and eighth respectively, and he was named the 2005 UEFA Club Football Best Midfielder.

The 2005–06 season saw Kaká score his first hat-tricks in domestic competitions. On 9 April 2006, he scored his first Rossoneri hat-trick against Chievo, with all three goals scored in the second half.[32] Milan were knocked out in the semi-finals of the 2005–06 Champions League to eventual champions Barcelona, and were once again eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. Milan also finished once again as runners-up in Serie A, with Kaká scoring 17 goals in the league. After the 2006 Calciopoli scandal, however, Milan were deducted 30 points, which placed them in third in the table. Kaká was nominated for the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year Awards for the third consecutive year, finishing 11th and seventh respectively. He was also selected to be part of both the UEFA Team of the Year[33] and the FIFProWorld XI for the first time in his career.[34]

Andriy Shevchenko's departure to Chelsea for the 2006–07 season allowed Kaká to become the focal point of Milan's offense as he alternated between the midfield and forward positions, operating at times as a striker or as a second striker behind Filippo Inzaghi, as well as in his more typical attacking midfield position. On 2 November 2006, he scored his first Champions League hat-trick in a 4–1 group stage win over the Belgian side Anderlecht.[35] He finished as the top scorer in the 2006–07 Champions League campaign with ten goals.[36] One of the goals helped the Rossoneri eliminate Celtic in the round of 16, 1–0 on aggregate,[37] and he scored three goals against Manchester United in the semi-finals.[38][39] Milan also reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia that season, losing out to winners Roma, and finished fourth in Serie A.

Kaká celebrating the 2007 UEFA Champions League triumph with his Milan teammates. A number of individual accolades followed for Kaká

Kaká won the Champions League title when Milan defeated Liverpool 2–1 on 23 May 2007, avenging the previous loss on penalties two years before. Though he went scoreless, he won a free kick that led to the first of Filippo Inzaghi's two goals, and provided the assist for the second.[40] For his stellar play throughout the competition, he was voted the Vodafone Fans' Player of the Season in a poll of over 100,000 UEFA.com visitors.[citation needed] On 30 August, Kaká was named by UEFA as both the top forward of the 2006–07 Champions League season and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, as well as being named as part of the UEFA Team of the Year for the second time.[41][42] He once again finished as the second-best assist-provider of the Champions League, providing five, and was voted the 2007 IFFHSWorld's Best Playmaker.[43]

Milan began its 2007–08 season by winning the UEFA Super Cup on 31 August, defeating Sevilla 3–1, with Kaká scoring the third goal.[44] Kaká had made a dribbling run into Sevilla's area, winning a penalty, which he then proceeded to take. Although it was saved by goalkeeper Andrés Palop, Kaká scored on the rebound with a header. Kaká had previously hit the post in the first half.[45] He played his 200th career match with Milan in a 1–1 home draw with Catania on 30 September, scoring from a penalty,[46] and on 5 October, he was named the 2006–07 FIFPro World Player of the Year, and was elected as part of the FIFPro World XI for the second time in his career.[47][48] On 2 December 2007, Kaká became the eighth Milan player to win the Ballon d'Or, as he finished with a decisive 444 votes, well ahead of runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo.[49][50] He signed a contract extension through 2013 with Milan on 29 February 2008.[51]

On 16 December, Kaká won the FIFA Club World Cup against Boca Juniors, scoring Milan's third goal of the match in a 4–2 victory which allowed them to be crowned World Champions. Kaká had previously assisted Filippo Inzaghi's opening goal of the match and also assisted Inzaghi's final goal of the match after an impressive exchange with Clarence Seedorf; he was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the competition.[52] On 17 December, Kaká was voted the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year with 1,047 votes, ahead of Lionel Messi with 504 and Cristiano Ronaldo with 426.[53][54]

"He's the complete player."

—Pelé on Kaká after he was named the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.[55]

BBC reported on 13 January 2009 that Manchester City made a bid for Kaká for over £100 million. Milan Director Umberto Gandini replied that Milan would only discuss the matter if Kaká and Manchester City agreed to personal terms.[61] Kaká initially responded by telling reporters he wanted to "grow old" at Milan and dreamed of captaining the club one day, but later said, "If Milan want to sell me, I'll sit down and talk. I can say that as long as the club don't want to sell me, I'll definitely stay."[62] On 19 January, Silvio Berlusconi announced that Manchester City had officially ended their bid after a discussion between the clubs, and that Kaká would remain with Milan.[63] Milan supporters had protested outside the club headquarters earlier that evening, and later chanted outside Kaká's home, where he saluted them by flashing his jersey outside a window.[64] Kaká finished his final season with Milan by scoring 16 goals, helping Milan finish third in Serie A, and once again being elected as a finalist for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award, finishing fourth in voting for the second-straight year. He was also nominated for the Ballon d'Or award, finishing in sixth place, and was named in the UEFA Team of the Year for the third time in his career.[65]

Real Madrid

Kaká during his presentation with Real Madrid in June 2009

On 3 June 2009, it was reported that newly elected Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez had offered to buy Kaká from Milan for a reported €68.5 million,[66][67] two days after the player had left for international duty with Brazil.[68] Milan vice-chairman and CEO Adriano Galliani confirmed that he and Kaká's father, Bosco Leite, had traveled to Mexico to meet with La Volpe: "We had lunch and spoke about Kaká. I don't deny it. Negotiations exist, but a deal has yet to be done."[69] On 4 June, Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport that financial reasons were his motive for the talks with La Volpe: "We cannot allow [Milan] to lose €70 million ... The reasons behind Kaká's departure would be economic."[69][70] On 8 June, Milan and Real Madrid confirmed Kaká's move to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on a six-year deal[71][72] for €67 million fee.[9]

Kaká was unveiled as a Real Madrid player on 30 June 2009, and he made his unofficial debut on 7 August 2009 in a 5–1 friendly victory against Toronto FC.[73] He scored his first goal for Madrid during a pre-season match on 19 August 2009, in a 5–0 victory against Borussia Dortmund.[74] Kaká later made his league debut on 29 August 2009 in a 3–2 win against Deportivo de La Coruña.[75] He scored his first goal, a penalty, on 23 September in a 2–0 win against Villarreal.[76] Real Madrid finished the season as runners-up in La Liga, with Kaká scoring eight goals and providing six assists in La Liga, and nine goals and eight assists in all competitions.[77]

On 5 August 2010, Real Madrid announced that Kaká had undergone a successful surgery on a long-standing left knee injury and would face up to four months on the sidelines.[78] Kaká returned to training after a long lay-off, with manager José Mourinho commenting that having Kaká back from injury was like a new signing.[79][80] After an eight-month absence, Kaká returned to play by entering as a substitute for Karim Benzema on the 77th minute of a 3–2 victory over Getafe on 3 January 2011. He said he was "(...) happy for playing a game again and for stepping onto a pitch."[81] His first league goal (and his first of the season) after his return from injury came with an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo on a 4–2 victory over Villarreal on 9 January 2011.[82]

In March 2011, Kaká suffered from Iliotibial band syndrome, which kept him sidelined for a few weeks. After returning from injury, he appeared in a convincing win over Valencia, scoring two goals. At the end of his second season with the club, Real Madrid and Kaká had won the Copa del Rey, although they finished as runners-up in both La Liga and in the Supercopa de España to rivals Barcelona. Real Madrid were also knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona in the semi-finals of the competition. Kaká finished his season with seven goals and six assists in all competitions in 20 appearances.[77]

On 27 September 2011, Kaká experienced one of his best matches as a Real Madrid player during a 3–0 victory over Ajax in the Champions League, as he scored one goal, provided one assist and participated in one of the best team build-ups of the matchday: a counterattacking move involving Mesut Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.[83] Kaká was later chosen the best player of the Champions League Matchday.[84] With this match, Kaká experienced one of the best starts to a season he has ever had, scoring two goals, serving two assists and winning one penalty for his team.[85] In 2011–12, Real Madrid won La Liga with a record 100 points that year, with Kaká providing nine assists and scoring five goals in the competition.[77] They were, however, eliminated for the second year in a row in the semi-finals of the Champions League, losing out to eventual runners-up Bayern Munich on penalties. The decisive misses for Real Madrid were by Ronaldo, Kaká and Sergio Ramos. Kaká was one of the top assist providers of the Champions League that season, providing five assists.[citation needed] He finished the season with eight goals and 14 assists in all club competitions.[77] Real Madrid were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey by eventual winners Barcelona.

Kaká takes a corner kick for Real Madrid in a La Liga game against Sevilla in February 2013

Real Madrid began the 2012–13 season by winning the 2012 Supercopa de España against rivals Barça. On 4 December 2012, after scoring in a 4–1 win against Ajax, Kaká became the top Brazilian goalscorer in Champions League history, with 28 goals.[86] After the match, Kaká said, "This was an important goal for me, and I hope I've still got goals left to help Real Madrid. It was an important win and a special night."[87] Kaká came on just before an hour was played, but was sent off as he was controversially booked twice within 18 minutes in a 0–0 draw against Osasuna on 12 January 2013.[88] It was his first sending-off at Madrid since he joined from Milan in 2009 and his first red card since he was dismissed playing for Brazil against Ivory Coast at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[89] Real Madrid finished the season in second place in La Liga behind Barcelona, and also finished runners-up in the Copa del Rey to city rivalsAtlético Madrid. They were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the third consecutive year by eventual runners-up Borussia Dortmund.

On 29 August 2013, Kaká expressed his desire to leave Real Madrid,[90] having scored 29 goals and provided 32 assists in 120 appearances in all competitions over four seasons at the club.[91][92] He said goodbye to Real Madrid and its fans in an open letter on Twitter.[93]

Return to Milan

Milan confirmed that Kaká would join the club on 2 September 2013 from Real Madrid on a free transfer with only performance-related incentives owed to Madrid; after agreeing to personal terms, he signed a two-year contract.[94][95][96] Kaká's contract was worth €4 million net per year and he was given the number 22 shirt, the same number he wore for Milan during his first spell.[97][98] He was also made the vice-captain upon his arrival.[99] He captained Milan in his debut for his second spell, taking the armband from goalkeeper Marco Amelia in a match against Chiasso.[100]

Kaká tore his left adductor muscle during his first competitive appearance, deciding not to accept any wages from Milan whilst he regained fitness.[101] He made his return for Milan on 19 October after coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home victory against Udinese. In his next match, on 22 October, Kaká assisted Robinho in the 1–1 home draw against Barcelona in the Champions League. His first goal, described by ESPN as "a sensational curling shot from the edge of the area into the top right-hand corner," opened the scoring in a 1–1 home draw at San Siro to Lazio on 30 October.[102] On 7 January 2014, Kaká scored his 100th goal for Milan by an opening goal in a match against Atalanta; he later went on to score another goal 30 minutes later.[103] On 11 March he scored a goal against Atlético Madrid in Vicente Calderón Stadium, this goal made him the last player to score against Atlético Madrid at Vicente Calderón for three seasons in knockout phase until Isco scored against them in 2016–17 UEFA Champions League semi final.[104] On 29 March 2014, Kaká scored twice in a 3–0 win against Chievo, his 300th match for Milan.[105][106]

In June 2014, it was reported that Kaká had entered into advanced discussions with Orlando City to join the team in January 2015 when they enter Major League Soccer (MLS).[107][108]
On 30 June 2014, Kaká had his Milan contract terminated through mutual consent despite having a year remaining, by activating a release clause as a result of the team not qualifying for European competitions.[109]

Orlando City

Kaká postgame in Houston, March 2015

Kaka joined future MLS franchise Orlando City as their first Designated Player.[110] He stated that he had "always" wanted to play in the United States, and cited the Brazilian owner Flávio Augusto da Silva as a reason for signing. Until Orlando entered the league in 2015, Kaká was loaned to his first club São Paulo, which he called "really satisfying."[111][112]

By signing for Orlando City, Kaká became the highest-paid player in MLS history, with a base salary of US$6.6 million per year, and with a guaranteed compensation of $7.2 million per year.[113][114][115][116]

São Paulo (loan)

On 3 July 2014, Kaká arrived at São Paulo and began training the next day.[117] He made his comeback in a league match against Goiás on 27 July 2014, starting and scoring a goal in the 76th minute, although his team lost 2–1.[118] On 4 September 2014, in the second round of the Copa Sudamericana, Kaká scored in a 2–0 victory over Criciúma.[119] On 9 November 2014, Kaká scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Vitória.[120]

Return to Orlando City

Kaká scored in his first match for Orlando City, a 4–0 friendly win over FC Dallas.[121] He then scored again in a 1–1 friendly draw against New York City FC.[122] On 8 March 2015, Kaká scored a free kick for the equaliser in a 1–1 draw on his MLS debut against New York City FC at the Citrus Bowl, the first in Orlando City's competitive history.[123][124][125] Kaká scored one and assisted another in a 2–2 draw with Montreal Impact on 28 March 2015.[126][127] He came second in the Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month pollfor his performances in March.[128]

On 13 April 2015, Kaká scored a penalty against Portland Timbers in a 2–0 win.[129][130] On 17 May 2015, Kaká scored one and assisted another in Orlando City's 4–0 win over defending MLS champions LA Galaxy. By doing so, Orlando became the first expansion team to beat a defending MLS champion by more than a three-goal margin.[131][132][133][134] On 30 June, Kaká scored Orlando's opening goal in the 21st minute of his Open Cup debut, helping his team to a 2–0 home win over Columbus Crew, in the fifth round of the competition, which enabled the club to advance to the quarter-finals.[135] On 5 July, he received the first straight red card of his career in a 1–1 away draw against Real Salt Lake; he had previously scored a goal during the match.[136] Later that month, Kaká was named to the 2015 MLS All-Star Game as the team's captain.[137] During the MLS All-Star Game on 29 July, at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, he scored from a penalty and later assisted David Villa as the MLS All-Stars defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2–1; Kaká was named MVP of the match.[138] Despite his efforts, he was unable to help Orlando City become the first expansion team to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs since the Seattle Sounders in 2009, as Orlando narrowly missed out on the sixth seed spot in the Eastern Conference;[139] he ended his first season with 9 goals and 7 assists in 28 MLS appearances, also scoring another goal from two appearances in the 2015 MLS Open Cup.[140]

After initially being sidelined through injury and missing Orlando City's first three matches of the 2016 MLS season, Kaká returned to the team's starting line-up and made his first appearance of the season on 3 April, against the Portland Timbers; he assisted two goals and later scored one himself in a 4–1 home victory,[141] and was subsequently named to the MLS team of the week for his performance.[142] In July 2016, he was included in the roster for the 2016 MLS All-Star Game.[143] He finished his second MLS season with the club with 9 goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances,[140] as Orlando once again failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs.[144]

On 5 March 2017, in Orlando City's opening match of the MLS season against New York City, and the club's stadium debut, Kaká hit the turf clutching his left leg just minutes after the game had started; the Lions beat their opponents 1–0. Later, it was reported that Kaká would be out for 6 weeks due to a hamstring strain.[145] Kaka came back in action and he scored on his return in Orlando City 2–0 win over Colorado Rapids on 29 April.[146] The next week, he scored another goal in Orlando's 2–1 loss against Toronto FC.[147] He scored his third goal of the season in a 2–2 draw against Sporting KC on 13 May 2017.[148] On 14 June, he played in the 3–1 loss in U.S. Open Cup match against Miami FC which was coached by his former teammate Alessandro Nesta.[149] On 17 June he assisted Matías Pérez García's goal against Montreal Impact.[150] The following match, he provided another assist for Scott Sutter last minute equalizer against Seattle Sounders.[151] On 7 July, he was chosen to play for the 2017 MLS All-Star Game for the third consecutive season.[152] He scored a long range stunner against Atlanta United on 29 July.[153]

Orlando City were officially eliminated from playoff contention on 7 October, following New York Red Bulls's 3–0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps.[154] Kaká announced on 11 October 2017 that he would not be renewing his contract with Orlando City for the 2018 MLS season.[155] He played his last official match for Orlando on 15 October in a 1–0 home defeat against Columbus Crew;[156][157] he finished the 2017 MLS season with 6 goals and 5 assists in 23 league appearances.[140] He later appeared once more for Orlando, in a 6–1 home win over the Puerto Rican national team in the Fuerza Puerto Rico friendly, held on 5 November, to raise money for Hurricane Maria relief. In total, Kaká made 75 league appearances in his three seasons with Orlando, scoring 24 goals and providing 22 assists.[158]

Retirement

Kaká announced his retirement on 17 December 2017, after turning down offers from former clubs São Paulo and Milan. He also expressed interest in working as a director, confirming that his former club Milan had offered him a role.[159][160]

Kaká started in his first FIFA World Cup finals in 2006 and scored his first and only goal of the tournament in Brazil's 1–0 victory over Croatia in Brazil's opener, for which he was named Man of the Match.[163] Kaká was unable to keep up the momentum for the remainder of the tournament, as Brazil was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals with French star Thierry Henry scoring the winner.[164]

In 2006 he was part of the “magic quartet”. Kaká and Ronaldinho in midfield, backed up by strikers Ronaldo and Adriano. The team was top heavy and unbalanced, and forced to work back in midfield, Kaká paid the price.

In a friendly against rivals Argentina at the Emirates Stadium, London on 3 September 2006, after entering as a substitute, Kaká received the ball off a deflection from an Argentina corner kick and outran Lionel Messi while taking the ball down three quarters of the field to score.[166] Exhibiting his “fantastic acceleration and balletic grace”, Kaká regards it as the greatest goal he ever scored.[167] On 12 May 2007, citing an exhaustive schedule of Serie A, Champions League and national team play, Kaká bowed out of the 2007 Copa América, which Brazil won.[168] After missing out on the Copa América, he returned to play in Brazil's friendly match against Algeria on 22 August 2007.

Second Confederations Cup title and 2010 World Cup

Kaká participated in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, wearing the number 10 shirt, marking his first international tournament since the 2006 World Cup. His only two goals came in Brazil's group stage opener against Egypt on 14 June, when he scored a goal in the fifth minute and then added a 90th-minute penalty in Brazil's 4–3 victory.[169] Kaká also provided two assists throughout the tournament. He received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament at the Confederations Cup and was also named the Man of the Match in the final after helping Brazil to a 3–2 win against the United States.[170][171][172]

At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, during the match against Ivory Coast on 20 June, Kaká received a controversial red card after receiving two yellow cards. The second card was given for an alleged elbow in the direction of Abdul Kader Keïta.[173][174][175] Kaká ended the tournament with three assists in total, as the joint-top assist provider, although he failed to score a goal during the tournament. Brazil eventually ended up losing 2–1 to World Cup eventual runners-up Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the tournament.[176]

Later career

After more than a year absence from the national team due to a series of injuries, Kaká was recalled on 27 October 2011 for the friendly matches against Gabon and Egypt in November.[177] He later had to be removed from the squad due to a calf injury, and thus did not play either of the matches.[178]

"The best player I have ever played with? That’s Ronaldo, il Fenomeno. The other Ronaldo, Cristiano, probably makes my top five, but I have seen il Fenomeno do things nobody else has ever done.”

—Kaká speaking in 2013 on his Brazil teammate Ronaldo being the best player he’s played with.[179]

After not appearing for Brazil in two years, Kaká was recalled on 28 September 2012 for the friendly matches against Iraq and Japan in October.[180] Following his recall to the Seleção squad, Kaká stated, "I admit it was a surprise this call ... When the list was published, I was extremely happy. It was like my first call-up."[181] Brazil coach Mano Menezes said that despite Kaká and Oscar's similarities, the two would be able to play alongside each other, as Kaká had slightly changed his playing style.[182] On his return to the national side, Kaká scored in both matches, a 6–0 win over Iraq[183] and a 4–0 win over Japan.[184] Kaká retained his place in the squad for Brazil's 1,000th game in history, a 1–1 friendly draw against Colombia on 14 November 2012.[185]

On 5 March 2013, Kaká was called up by new Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for the first time since the coach's return, for friendlies with Italy in London and Russia in Geneva, both taking place late in that month.[186][187] Kaká, however, was not selected for the national team for the 2013 Confederations Cup and was also omitted in Scolari's 2014 World Cup squad.[188] After almost 18 months, Kaká was recalled to the Brazilian team in October 2014 by new manager Dunga for friendlies against Argentina and Japan.[189][190][191] On 1 May 2015, Kaká was selected as one of seven stand-by players in Brazil's preliminary squad for the 2015 Copa América,[192][193][194] although he was not called up for the final tournament.[195] In August 2015, he was called up to the national team once again for the team's international friendlies in September, and made a substitute appearance in Brazil's 1–0 victory over Costa Rica on 5 September; this was his first appearance for Brazil in almost a year, and his 90th appearance for his country overall.[196] Following Douglas Costa's left thigh injury in late May 2016, which ruled him out of Brazil's Copa América Centenario squad, Kaká was called up as a replacement by Dunga.[197] On 30 May, he subsequently appeared as an 80th-minute substitute in a pre-Copa América friendly warm-up match against Panama, which ended in a 2–0 victory to Brazil.[198] A muscle injury sustained in early June, however, also ruled Kaká out of the upcoming tournament; he was replaced by Ganso.[199]

Style of play and reception

"For two, maybe three seasons [at Milan] he was the best player in the world. There was nothing he couldn’t do."

Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Kaká has been described on the FIFA website as having the "capacity to glide almost effortlessly past opponents, provide defence-splitting passes and score consistently from distance."[201][202][203] During his prime at Milan in the mid to late 2000s, and prior to the injuries he suffered at Real Madrid which affected his mobility, Kaká was a quick, agile, hard-working, highly skilful and creative team player with great pace, ball control, movement, and balance, capable of dribbling past defenders in one on one situations as well as during counterattacks.[204][205][206][207][208] Regarding his speed and elegance on the ball, in 2017, Karl Matchett of Bleacher Report stated:

"His gait, particularly when in possession, was mesmeric. Reasonably unusual in stature for a playmaking midfielder at a little over six feet tall, Kaká could still turn and accelerate past a defender in the same way the smaller, low-centre-of-gravity No. 10s would manage—but that same elegant, long-legged stride made him unstoppable on the run."[207]

Tim Vickery of ESPN wrote, “Kaká running forward with the ball had the power of a freight train. He married power with finesse”, but on the impact of his knee and groin issues at Madrid, added, “once his acceleration had been reduced, he lacked the subtlety to shine as before.”[165] Carl Anka of the BBC writes that his “knee and groin problems sapped him of the explosive half-yard burst he needed to navigate the corridors of midfield uncertainty”, and that by 2009 he “was already on the wane.”[167] Anka adds that being the last player to win FIFA World Player of the Year (in 2007) prior to the Messi-Ronaldo dominance over the next decade, Kaká's standing in the game has been “lost in a haze”, with his “greatness just out of sight”.[167]

Kaká was also renowned for his vision and passing ability, enabling him to create chances for teammates.[209] Having performed predominantly as a playmaking attacking midfielder throughout his career, he was known for being capable of scoring goals as well as creating and assisting them.[210] A versatile player, he was also deployed in several other attacking positions throughout his career, performing as a winger on either flank,[204][211] as a supporting forward,[212] and on occasion as an outright striker,[206][213] or even in a deeper role as a midfield playmaker.[214] In addition to these characteristics, Kaká also possessed a powerful and accurate shot from both inside and outside the penalty area, with either foot,[215] despite being naturally right-footed;[216] he was also an accurate penalty taker.[217][218]

Personal life

Kaká married his childhood sweetheart Caroline Celico on 23 December 2005 at a Rebirth in Christ church in São Paulo.[219] The couple have two children: son Luca Celico Leite (born 10 June 2008) and[220] daughter Isabella (born 23 April 2011).[221] In 2015, Kaká and Celico announced their divorce via social media.[222]

Kaká was sworn in as an Italian citizen on 12 February 2007.[223] He features prominently in Adidas advertising and also has a modeling contract with Armani, the latter preventing him from appearing in a photo collection alongside his Milan teammates that was published by Dolce & Gabbana in early 2007.[224]

Kaká (second from right) at Milan with Ronaldinho and David Beckham to his right. The three players have a large fan base on social media.[230]

Kaká cites Raí, the former Brazilian national team and São Paulo FC captain, as his footballing role model.[231][232] He is best friends with Marcelo Saragosa, who also played professionally. They each served as the best man at the other's wedding.[233] He is also close friends with Colombia striker Radamel Falcao.[234]

A pair of Kaká's Adidas boots, with a declaration of his Christian faith. In his goal celebrations Kaká invariably points towards the skies to express gratitude to God.[236]

Kaká is a devout evangelical Christian who was an active member of the São Paulo-based Rebirth in Christ Church.[237] He became engrossed in religion at the age of 12: "I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not." He removed his jersey to reveal an "I Belong to Jesus" T-shirt and openly engaged in prayer moments after the final whistle of Brazil's 2002 World Cup, and Milan's 2004 Scudetto and 2007 Champions League triumphs. He also had the same phrase, along with "God Is Faithful," stitched onto the tongues of his boots.[17] During the post-match celebration following Brazil's 4–1 win over Argentina in the 2005 Confederations Cup final, he and several of his teammates wore T-shirts that read "Jesus Loves You" in various languages. While receiving the FIFA World Footballer of the Year award in 2007, he said when he was young he just wanted to be a professional player for São Paulo and play one game for the Brazil national team, but that "God gave [him] more than he ever asked for."[238] Though sharing a common goal, Kaká is not currently a formal member of the organization Atletas de Cristo ("Athletes of Christ").[239] In goal celebrations, he usually points to the sky as a gesture of thanks to God.[236] Kaká's favourite music genre is gospel,[240] and his favourite book is the Bible.[241] In an interview with the Brazilian television O Globo, Kaka manifested the will to become an evangelical pastor.[242]

1Placar started to give this prize to the best grade holder at Bola de Prata since 1973. In its 2013 ceremonies, a Bola de Ouro was given to Dirceu Lopes, holder of the best 1971 grade. Francisco Reyes and Elías Figueroa, holders of 1970 and 1972 ones respectively, have not been announced as these years' winners yet.